Alien Morsels: Short Tales from Zerconian Warrior Series by Sadie Carter Read Free Book Online Page B

get it wrong? What if I hurt her? What if I do the wrong thing?”
    He turned so he faced her. “Look at me.”
    She sniffled, keeping her face averted.
    “Zoey.” He injected a note of command into his voice and placed a finger under her chin to tip her face up. “You are going to be a wonderful mother.”
    How had he not told her this? How had he not seen her doubts?
    “How do you know?”
    “Because you are kind and loving. You are funny and sweet. Most of all, you look after those you care about.”
    She sniffled, and he wiped her tears away. “I am sorry if I have been smothering you lately. If I have made you feel invisible.”
    She gave him a suspicious look. “What makes you say that?”
    “Ahh, a friend may have pointed out a few truths.”
    “A friend, huh? Maybe a female one? Named Willa or Mila? Ignore them. I’m fine.”
    He grasped hold of her chin gently. “No. You are not. And pretending that you are stops now. I do not want to hear what you think I want to hear. I want the truth. Tell me.”
    She bit her lip. Then stared down at their baby. “She is so beautiful. I feel terrible for all the times I resented her now.”
    Dex glanced behind him, but as he suspected, Thor had left.
    “Resented?”
    “It makes me sound so awful.”
    “Nothing could make me believe you are awful. I have let you down, my own.”
    “What?” She gave him a surprised look. “No, you haven’t.”
    He nodded solemnly. “I have not given you the attention you needed. Everything has been about the baby. I was so worried about protecting the baby and you, I forgot to ensure that you knew just how much I love you.”
    “I’ve been silly, haven’t I?”
    “No, my own. I am the one at fault.”
    She smiled at him and this time, the smile reached her eyes. “We should really get our acts together. We’re parents now. We’re supposed to be mature and wise and know what we’re doing.”
    Dex ran his finger down his daughter’s forehead and nose. “I am certain she will forgive us if we get things wrong. But you do not have to know everything. I do not. There are many people who will give us advice and guide us. You are not alone, Zoey.”
    “I know. She’s just so important to me. I want to be a great mom.”
    “You will be. How could you not be?”
    “Sweet-talker.” She gave him a nudge with her elbow. “I love you.”
    “I love you, too.”

Chapter Eight
     
    “She’s so beautiful.” Mila gazed down at the tiny baby, instantly in love.
    “I know,” Zoey replied, voice filled with pride. “She’s the most beautiful baby in the universe. Not that I’ve seen that many. I really have no idea what I’m doing.” Panic flashed across Zoey’s face before she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “But Dex reckons we can learn together. He’s so besotted by her.”
    Dex had barely left his mate’s side since she gave birth three days ago. Anyone could see by the way he gazed at his daughter how much he loved her. He practically melted.
    “I wish we weren’t leaving,” Mila told her with a sigh.
    “So do I. But this is an important meeting.”
    Mila nodded. “I know.”
    “I’m sorry the old bat insisted on going.” Dex’s parents were going to Newsdale to meet with the Earth Council with Mila.
    Good for Zoey. Not so good for Mila. She wasn’t all that fond of the old bat, either.
    “Are you nervous?” Zoey asked.
    “Oh yeah. But I’m excited, too. This could be the beginning of a new era. I don’t want anyone else to die because they didn’t find their mate.”
    Zoey squeezed her hand then took back the baby when she cried. “Come on, little one. Time for a feed.”
    “Have you decided what to call her?” Mila asked as Zoey finished feeding the baby and held her against her shoulder, rubbing her back to burp her.
    “The old bat wants me to call her Helgar or Anuus.”
    “Anus? Seriously? She wants you to name your baby after a butt?”
    Zoey giggled, and Mila nearly sighed in